Gareth Southgate will not get ahead of himself after England’s big win over Panama

Sorry, we're having problems with our video player at the moment, but are working to fix it as soon as we can

Waiting for Video...

Published:16:18Sunday 24 June 2018

Share this article

Sign Up To Our Daily Newsletter

England boss Gareth Southgate was in no mood to get carried away with the convincing win over Panama.

The 6-1 victory means England are in the last 16 along with Belgium, who they face on Thursday to decide who will top the Group G table.

England boss Gareth Southgate after the final whistle

But the goal-fest against Panama will not have Southgate getting ahead of himself.

“I didn’t like the start and I didn’t like the goal at the end, but I thought the bits in the middle were all right,” he said.

“I felt we were a bit anxious at the start.

“Confidence-wise it was important we were able to score goals.

“It was a big moment for Jesse Lingard today especially, great for the captain Harry Kane to get his hat-trick, it meant he didn’t get hump when I brought him off.

“Also our set-plays were a real threat.”

Asked what he told the players when 5-0 up at half-time, the England boss said: “We talked about the importance of one more goal to be top of the group, which is why the goal at the end was disappointing.”

Defender John Stones was happy to grab his first England goals on the highest stage but felt the day was slightly soured by England conceding late on.

He said: “To score my first goals for England was something special, especially at a World Cup. It’s not something I thought I’d do at the start of the day.